35 000 Verizon workers could strike over contract

By CRISTIAN SALAZAR

Published
11:06 pm CDT, Saturday, August 6, 2011

Photo: DON RYAN, STF

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FILE-In this Oct. 30, 2006, file photo, a Verizon Wireless store sign is seen in a Portland, Ore. More than 35,000 unionized Verizon Communications workers from Massachusetts to Washington D.C. could go on strike after midnight Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011, if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a new labor contract. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File) less

FILE-In this Oct. 30, 2006, file photo, a Verizon Wireless store sign is seen in a Portland, Ore. More than 35,000 unionized Verizon Communications workers from Massachusetts to Washington D.C. could go on ... more

Photo: DON RYAN, STF

35 000 Verizon workers could strike over contract

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35,000 Verizon workers could strike over contract

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Eds: Updates with background, quotes, details on labor dispute. Adds that Verizon is largest wireless carrier in US, photo, byline. Will be updated. With AP Photos.

NEW YORK (AP) - More than 35,000 unionized Verizon Communications Inc. workers from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., could go on strike after midnight Sunday if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a new labor contract.

The Communications Workers of America said negotiations in Philadelphia and New York stalled Saturday night after Verizon continued to demand more than 100 concessions from workers.

"We're very disappointed that even at this late hour, this 11th hour, that the company continues to have concession demands on the table," said Candice Johnson, a CWA spokeswoman.

Verizon spokesman Rich Young said the company is negotiating "in good faith" to reach an agreement that "balances the needs of all parties."

The contract that expires at midnight Saturday covers 45,000 workers, including 10,000 represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who serve as telephone and repair technicians, customer service representatives, operators and more. The workers have authorized a strike if necessary, the CWA said.

Verizon, the nation's largest wireless carrier, has 196,000 workers; 135,000 are non-union.

At the center of the contract dispute are the costs of health care, pensions and work rules.

The CWA said the concessions are unjustified and harsh, given that Verizon is highly profitable - the company's revenue rose 2.8 percent to $27.5 billion in the second quarter. Its growth was largely attributed to its wireless business.

But Verizon said its wireline business has been in decline for more than a decade, and that it is asking for changes in the contract to strengthen the unit. The company said union employees contribute nothing to their health care premiums.

Verizon said it didn't expect any interruption in its services if a strike or other job action were called.

"Tens of thousands of Verizon managers and other personnel have been trained to step in and perform emergency work assignments," Yound said.